I hate to base my evaluation of a player on Hard Knocks, but Davis hasn't exactly been impressive in camp so far. Joe Philbin's innovative practices have exposed Davis as out of shape and at least somewhat lazy.

He's a very talented player, but there's more to winning than that. It's clear that Philbin wants to create a certain type of team, and Davis just wasn't a part of that vision. That's also why he released Chad Johnson after his arrest.

Looking ahead, the Dolphins are set up very well for the future. By trading away Brandon Marshall and Davis and starting Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, they have made a commitment to playing young players and getting rid of players who will disrupt team chemistry.

Although they'd never admit it, I'm sure the Dolphins realize the other benefit here. With Tannehill in and many of their better veterans out, the Dolphins are set up to lose in 2012. If that happens, they'll have a very high draft pick.

Considering their trades, they'd have a high first round pick to go along with two high second-rounders (one from Indianapolis) and two third-rounders (one from Chicago). That's the type of ammunition that builds Super Bowl winners.

The Dolphins have positioned themselves very nicely for a rebuilding year. They have young talent and will have some nice draft picks to use in 2013. All that's left is using those picks to find the right players for the future.

As for the past? Davis is now a part of it. Along with guys like Johnson and Marshall, the Dolphins have purged their roster of distractions. It isn't always easy, but it's the right way to build a team. Kudos to Jeff Ireland and Joe Philbin.